How To Find Unique Qualities of Each MD School?

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While writing my secondaries I've noticed lately that it is difficult to find things to say about each school that really stand out to me. Obviously I look at their website, but it just seems like every place basically says the same thing. They just might have a different name for some programs that are basically the same, and sometimes they might emphasize a couple things over a couple other things. Some might have earlier clinical experience than others, some might have more research opportunities, but that's just comparing GROUPS of schools. It seems very difficult to look at a single school and find things that are truly unique about it.. Also in some cases the websites seem to just say everything that everyone else says, so its hard to find ANY real strengths from the website, so then I basically have to just pick somethings that I guess they might be strong in and hope I'm right..

Are there other sources that you guys use to find truly unique things about each school you apply to? Honestly, outside of information to help with secondaries, it would be a good thing to see. Is there a list somewhere that gives each school's major strengths/ weaknesses? Also some things that are truly unique about each school? Am I the only one having this problem?

 

[WedgeDawg]

I literally skimmed school websites for 5-10 mins before answering these prompts and on more than one occasion I was complimented by my interviewer about how informed I was about the school based on my essay (presumably) so....

It's not really that difficult. There are programs specific to individual schools as well as experiences and things they emphasize. They're not too hard to pick up on and write intelligently about. These essays don't have to be revolutionary - it's literally just asking why you're applying to that school. If you can't think of anything then maybe it's not worth applying there.

 

[ChillDawg]

I wonder if anyone on SDN has made a list about key features of the different schools...I'm sure there are plenty of former applicants who made their own informal lists during the course of their schools research.
I know hellanutella has a list, but it seems like mostly secondary questions.

 

[GrapesofRath]

There are many reviews people give about the interviews they had at particular schools on this site and others. You might find some good tidbits in what they said, what they were told by people on the visit about the school or other key info, their experience on the visit etc.

 

[partypantss]

There are many reviews people give about the interviews they had at particular schools on this site and others. You might find some good tidbits in what they said, what they were told by people on the visit about the school or other key info, their experience on the visit etc.

I hadn't thought of that before but that's a good idea. Often people do give tidbits about things that impressed them during the tour..

 

[T1p]

For me, research and mentorship was very important in choosing medical schools. If there was a faculty member at a school who I knew and highly admired, I mentioned it during secondaries (if asked) and interviews.

 

[Hyde]

I looked at #1 residency match lists #2 Average MCAT scores #3 USNWR rank for research. Period.

 

[ChrisMack390]

Almost every school has some special tracks or programs. Also location, notable research labs, and the mission statement give you things to mention.

 

[pageantry]

The internet being what it is, sometimes it's easier to find unique complaints about a school than unique assets. If you can find a way to treat those complaints as assets, you've got an essay.

 

[Psai]

I looked at #1 residency match lists #2 Average MCAT scores #3 USNWR rank for research. Period.

 

[jjmack]

Good luck interpreting that match list as a pre-med. It's hard enough as a med student when it's not the field you're matching in to.

I looked at #1 residency match lists #2 Average MCAT scores #3 USNWR rank for research. Period.

 

[LizzyM]

About the only thing UNIQUE about each medical school is its zip code (if there is more than one school in a given zip code I'd like to know about them... I can't think of any off the top of my head). That's not going to make a very good essay any more than writing a Valentine that her/his fingerprints are what make them so attractive.

Why would that school be a good fit for you? What are you looking for in a school? Try to come up with an answer beyond "a school that will admit me" and "a school that is the cheapest option". What do you want out of a school beyond as little debt as possible? What do you hope to accomplish in med school? What is your learning style and how does a given school match your style?

 

[Goro]

Almost!
MSUCHM (MD) 48824
MSUCOM ( DO) 48825


Dive into the academic calendars and you can see the course offering and when they're given. PBL vs integrated systems vs classic Flexner style are different in delivery.

About the only thing UNIQUE about each medical school is its zip code (if there is more than one school in a given zip code I'd like to know about them... I can't think of any off the top of my head). That's not going to make a very good essay any more than writing a Valentine that her/his fingerprints are what make them so attractive.

Why would that school be a good fit for you? What are you looking for in a school? Try to come up with an answer beyond "a school that will admit me" and "a school that is the cheapest option". What do you want out of a school beyond as little debt as possible? What do you hope to accomplish in med school? What is your learning style and how does a given school match your style?

 

[Banco]

They are all pretty similar. Curriculum is one differentiator sort of. There are also some unique programs here and there that you can mention (global health, thesis, free clinics etc.).

 

[Hyde]

Good luck interpreting that match list as a pre-med. It's hard enough as a med student when it's not the field you're matching in to.

I don't think you're giving enough credit to pre-meds' intelligence or self-knowledge or financial acumen. Match lists were actually quite helpful for my purposes. Based on my shadowing and volunteering experiences and the fact that I'm forced to rely heavily on loans to finance my UG med school education, I have little interest in FM or OBYN. So med schools whose students matched well into more competitive specialties were more interesting to me. Ditto for med schools that USNWR ranked much better for research than for FM. The reverse would be true for pre-meds researching schools if they think they might enjoy FM or OBGYN.

 

[Lamel]

I don't think you're giving enough credit to pre-meds' intelligence or self-knowledge or financial acumen. Match lists were actually quite helpful for my purposes. Based on my shadowing and volunteering experiences and the fact that I'm forced to rely heavily on loans to finance my UG med school education, I have little interest in FM or OBYN. So med schools whose students matched well into more competitive specialties were more interesting to me. Ditto for med schools that USNWR ranked much better for research than for FM. The reverse would be true for pre-meds researching schools if they think they might enjoy FM or OBGYN.

If match lists were the main reason you applied to certain schools then lol...

 

[WedgeDawg]

If match lists were the main reason you applied to certain schools then lol...

He didn't say it was the main reason at all, just that he found them useful and used them as an additional piece of information when making a decision. Heck, I used match list when choosing which school to go to, but they definitely weren't (anywhere close to) the sole reason I chose to go where I did.

 

[Lamel]

He didn't say it was the main reason at all, just that he found them useful and used them as an additional piece of information when making a decision. Heck, I used match list when choosing which school to go to, but they definitely weren't (anywhere close to) the sole reason I chose to go where I did.

I mean he said "I looked at #1 residency match lists #2 Average MCAT scores #3 USNWR rank for research. Period."

They are helpful definitely, probably more so when you have been accepted to schools. But #1 to decide where to apply? Pretty premature. Also match lists are not going to help the OP write secondaries.

 

[doc05]

I mean he said "I looked at #1 residency match lists #2 Average MCAT scores #3 USNWR rank for research. Period."

They are helpful definitely, probably more so when you have been accepted to schools. But #1 to decide where to apply? Pretty premature. Also match lists are not going to help the OP write secondaries.

actually, the only useful thing you get out of med school is your residency match.

 

[Hyde]

If match lists were the main reason you applied to certain schools then lol...

I didn't have unlimited funds to apply super broadly. Nor did I think it wise in terms of having the time to handle secondaries ad infinitum. So I had to narrow down my list. My friends did similar things to what I did. Some also applied their own personal requirements to their med school research. I don't think what we did was unusual. Science major folks think logically or at least my friends and I did. But different strokes for different folks.

 

[WedgeDawg]

I mean he said "I looked at #1 residency match lists #2 Average MCAT scores #3 USNWR rank for research. Period."

Oh didn't see that part.

They are helpful definitely, probably more so when you have been accepted to schools. But #1 to decide where to apply? Pretty premature.

I get what he's saying with respect to seeing generally into what specialties do people match. If someone really was interested in doing a competitive surgical subspecialty, derm, or radonc in academia and 75%+ of a school matched to FM, IM, OBGYN, Peds in mostly community programs, that might be a good idea to perhaps not apply to that school.

However, using the list and saying "o wow look at all these people matching to JHU that must be great school" when in reality all of these people were matching to Bayview or something [don't skewer me here, I'm just using this as a generic example] might not be the best use of the list.

They're useful to a certain extent, but going beyond what you know and then trying to come to conclusions is never helpful.

 

[Lamel]

actually, the only useful thing you get out of med school is your residency match.

Yes. How does this apply to the OP?

I didn't have unlimited funds to apply super broadly. Nor did I think it wise in terms of having the time to handle secondaries ad infinitum. So I had to narrow down my list. My friends did similar things to what I did. Some also applied their own personal requirements to their med school research. I don't think what we did was unusual. Science major folks think logically or at least my friends and I did. But different strokes for different folks.

Looking at match lists as the number 1 criteria for where you apply is not logical - at best it is preferential, and at worst it is foolish.

Oh didn't see that part.

I get what he's saying with respect to seeing generally into what specialties do people match. If someone really was interested in doing a competitive surgical subspecialty, derm, or radonc in academia and 75%+ of a school matched to FM, IM, OBGYN, Peds in mostly community programs, that might be a good idea to perhaps not apply to that school.

However, using the list and saying "o wow look at all these people matching to JHU that must be great school" when in reality all of these people were matching to Bayview or something [don't skewer me here, I'm just using this as a generic example] might not be the best use of the list.

They're useful to a certain extent, but going beyond what you know and then trying to come to conclusions is never helpful.

For the first case I would say they are only really useful if your stats/activities allow you the luxury to be that selective - and even then I wouldn't give them too much stock; many state schools may not boast prestigious match lists but you would be very foolish to not apply to your own state school based off that. And then if your stats/activities are that good that you are selecting match lists between the top schools, it is important to realize that it is largely based off of student preference - NYU isn't going to hold you back for ortho even if Sinai has more ortho matches (just a random example, not factual).

Agreed, they can be useful to a certain extent, but I didn't find any real use for them when deciding where to apply to schools. Deciding where to matriculate? Yeah I looked at them.

 

[WedgeDawg]

For the first case I would say they are only really useful if your stats/activities allow you the luxury to be that selective - and even then I wouldn't give them too much stock; many state schools may not boast prestigious match lists but you would be very foolish to not apply to your own state school based off that.

Ya, I assumed we were talking about discretionary schools and having the option of choice based on competitiveness.

Agreed, they can be useful to a certain extent, but I didn't find any real use for them when deciding where to apply to schools. Deciding where to matriculate? Yeah I looked at them.

fair

 

[Hyde]

But #1 to decide where to apply? Pretty premature. Also match lists are not going to help the OP write secondaries.

Pretty premature IN YOUR OPINION. Thought I'd add the last 3 words for you because your critical judgement of what I did is your opinion, nothing more and nothing less. Also OP was looking for feedback outside of help with secondaries. OP stated "Are there other sources that you guys use to find truly unique things about each school you apply to? Honestly, outside of information to help with secondaries, it would be a good thing to see. Is there a list somewhere that gives each school's major strengths/ weaknesses? Also some things that are truly unique about each school? Am I the only one having this problem?" I gave him information that I used. It was up to OP to use or discard what I said.

 

[Lamel]

OP overall very few schools are genuinely unique. You don't have to find a quality in a school that no other school has and write about it, you just have to say that you like X about this school, and that's why you're interested.

Pretty premature IN YOUR OPINION. Thought I'd add the last 3 words for you because your critical judgement of what I did is your opinion, nothing more and nothing less. Also OP was looking for feedback outside of help with secondaries. OP stated "Are there other sources that you guys use to find truly unique things about each school you apply to? Honestly, outside of information to help with secondaries, it would be a good thing to see. Is there a list somewhere that gives each school's major strengths/ weaknesses? Also some things that are truly unique about each school? Am I the only one having this problem?" I gave him information that I used. It was up to OP to use or discard what I said.

OPs main concern: "While writing my secondaries I've noticed lately that it is difficult to find things to say about each school that really stand out to me."

What is he supposed to say? "School X, I love your match list, MCAT score, and USNWR rank!". None of those things are unique, it still creates the dilemma for him in which multiple schools end up in certain groups.

It is assumed my posts are my opinion. I didn't mean to be overly critical; if you have chosen schools already thats fine. But as someone who has successfully navigated the application process, I feel compelled to say for others who are reading this that when deciding where to apply there are a lot of other factors that should precede the school's match list.

This is getting off-topic now so let's move on.

 

[WedgeDawg]

OP overall very few schools are genuinely unique. You don't have to find a quality in a school that no other school has and write about it, you just have to say that you like X about this school, and that's why you're interested.



OPs main concern: "While writing my secondaries I've noticed lately that it is difficult to find things to say about each school that really stand out to me."

What is he supposed to say? "School X, I love your match list, MCAT score, and USNWR rank!". None of those things are unique, it still creates the dilemma for him in which multiple schools end up in certain groups.

It is assumed my posts are my opinion. I didn't mean to be overly critical; if you have chosen schools already thats fine. But as someone who has successfully navigated the application process, I feel compelled to say for others who are reading this that when deciding where to apply there are a lot of other factors that should precede the school's match list.

This is getting off-topic now so let's move on.

Sorry to go back to this, but I don't think anyone is silly enough to say "School X I <3 your match list";

HOWEVER -

You can work backwards from the match list to things that might actually be relevant. For example, you look at the Columbia match lists and see that they traditionally match very strongly into neurosurgery - why might this be? Well, you dig through their website and find out a few things about it. Oh awesome, they require a 1 week neurosurgery rotation during their clinical year! That's pretty unique. They also have a Neurology/Neurosurgery club that helps students get involved with shadowing and research in those areas (which are essentially necessary to match in neurosurgery). Also pretty cool! They also have the 1.5 year preclinical curriculum and encourage students to do SubIs (and help set them up for them) in neurosurgery immediately after during the second half of their third year - again very helpful for matching!

Things like that aren't directly stated in a match list, but using the match list as the symptom and looking backwards for whatever may be causing consistent success might be a good way to help applicants answer this question of "why this school".

 

[Hyde]

OPs main concern: "While writing my secondaries I've noticed lately that it is difficult to find things to say about each school that really stand out to me."

What is he supposed to say? "School X, I love your match list, MCAT score, and USNWR rank!". None of those things are unique, it still creates the dilemma for him in which multiple schools end up in certain groups.

It is assumed my posts are my opinion. I didn't mean to be overly critical; if you have chosen schools already thats fine. But as someone who has successfully navigated the application process, I feel compelled to say for others who are reading this that when deciding where to apply there are a lot of other factors that should precede the school's match list.

Btw, I successfully navigated the application process as did some of my friends. I haven't bothered to add accepted to my profile. Secondly it's your judgement that secondaries are OP's main concern. OP also wanted information "outside of help with secondaries." OP specifically noted that concern. I'm not sure why you're being so argumentative and critical about my post. OP asked for feedback about secondaries and what things to look at, consider about med schools. I gave OP feedback about things I looked at. What's the problem?

 

[22031 Alum]

You can work backwards from the match list to things that might actually be relevant. For example, you look at the Columbia match lists and see that they traditionally match very strongly into neurosurgery - why might this be? Well, you dig through their website and find out a few things about it. Oh awesome, they require a 1 week neurosurgery rotation during their clinical year! That's pretty unique. They also have a Neurology/Neurosurgery club that helps students get involved with shadowing and research in those areas (which are essentially necessary to match in neurosurgery). Also pretty cool! They also have the 1.5 year preclinical curriculum and encourage students to do SubIs (and help set them up for them) in neurosurgery immediately after during the second half of their third year - again very helpful for matching

If they happened to have a class where nobody wanted to go into neurosurgery, all of that would still be true. You could simply look at their curriculum page to see it. So that's not a very compelling reason to scrutinize a Match list.

 

[WedgeDawg]

If they happened to have a class where nobody wanted to go into neurosurgery, all of that would still be true. You could simply look at their curriculum page to see it. So that's not a very compelling reason to scrutinize a Match list.

No, I agree it's definitely not the most efficient thing to do. All I'm saying is that if you wanted to only look at the match list (at least initially) and then take something from there to write about, you might be able to do so. I'm not endorsing it, just commenting that it's possible. Obviously the easiest and most efficient thing to do is scour the school's website first.

 

[Lamel]

Sorry to go back to this, but I don't think anyone is silly enough to say "School X I <3 your match list";

HOWEVER -

You can work backwards from the match list to things that might actually be relevant. For example, you look at the Columbia match lists and see that they traditionally match very strongly into neurosurgery - why might this be? Well, you dig through their website and find out a few things about it. Oh awesome, they require a 1 week neurosurgery rotation during their clinical year! That's pretty unique. They also have a Neurology/Neurosurgery club that helps students get involved with shadowing and research in those areas (which are essentially necessary to match in neurosurgery). Also pretty cool! They also have the 1.5 year preclinical curriculum and encourage students to do SubIs (and help set them up for them) in neurosurgery immediately after during the second half of their third year - again very helpful for matching!

Things like that aren't directly stated in a match list, but using the match list as the symptom and looking backwards for whatever may be causing consistent success might be a good way to help applicants answer this question of "why this school".

Those things are probably easier to find on the school website. Splitting hairs here, we mostly agree.

Btw, I successfully navigated the application process as did some of my friends. I haven't bothered to add accepted to my profile. Secondly it's your judgement that secondaries are OP's main concern. OP also wanted information "outside of help with secondaries." OP specifically noted that concern. I'm not sure why you're being so argumentative and critical about my post. OP asked for feedback about secondaries and what things to look at, consider about med schools. I gave OP feedback about things I looked at. What's the problem?

Things you listed are low on the totem pole of importance at this stage (other than MCAT score, which OP probably already knows to look at). No problem.

 

[steelersfan1243]

What do you guys think about talking about a specific professors' research at that school? The research lab Im in now labels him as one of our major competitors and we follow his work like a hawk, but if I got into this med school I would gun to work in his lab (only reason I want to apply to this school) he is on the MD/PhD committee, but I assume that does not overlap with MD, what do you guys think?

 

[WedgeDawg]

What do you guys think about talking about a specific professors' research at that school? The research lab Im in now labels him as one of our major competitors and we follow his work like a hawk, but if I got into this med school I would gun to work in his lab (only reason I want to apply to this school) he is on the MD/PhD committee, but not on MD, what do you guys think?

I think it's okay to talk about it, but don't make it the only reason.

 

[Banco]

What do you guys think about talking about a specific professors' research at that school? The research lab Im in now labels him as one of our major competitors and we follow his work like a hawk, but if I got into this med school I would gun to work in his lab (only reason I want to apply to this school) he is on the MD/PhD committee, but I assume that does not overlap with MD, what do you guys think?

I wouldn't drop a name, but I would say "department X" or "lab studying X". I did that for a couple of essays.

 

[Hospitalized]

MSAR could help.

 

[Lucca]

About the only thing UNIQUE about each medical school is its zip code (if there is more than one school in a given zip code I'd like to know about them... I can't think of any off the top of my head). That's not going to make a very good essay any more than writing a Valentine that her/his fingerprints are what make them so attractive.

Why would that school be a good fit for you? What are you looking for in a school? Try to come up with an answer beyond "a school that will admit me" and "a school that is the cheapest option". What do you want out of a school beyond as little debt as possible? What do you hope to accomplish in med school? What is your learning style and how does a given school match your style?

UT Houston and Baylor, 77030!

I looked at the MSAR then read schools websites when compiling my school list. Since I'm interested in research I also looked at labs and what kind of research is done at that institution, usually you can find some niche areas to talk about. Furthermore, the location is a unique thing worth mentioning. Why live in the north? South? Near some population? Family?

 

[LizzyM]

UT Houston and Baylor, 77030!

I looked at the MSAR then read schools websites when compiling my school list. Since I'm interested in research I also looked at labs and what kind of research is done at that institution, usually you can find some niche areas to talk about. Furthermore, the location is a unique thing worth mentioning. Why live in the north? South? Near some population? Family?

Lucca for the WIN!